Inflatable Gastric Balloon Could Offer New Hope for Weight Loss
Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have designed a potentially game-changing solution for weight loss: an inflatable gastric balloon that can be adjusted on demand. This innovative device, detailed in a December 3 study in the journal Device, could provide an alternative to weight loss drugs and invasive procedures like gastric bypass surgery.
How It Works
Traditional gastric balloons, essentially bags of air or saltwater inserted into the stomach, can effectively induce short-term weight loss by creating a feeling of fullness. However, the stomach often adapts to the constant presence of the balloon, diminishing its effectiveness over time.
The MIT team’s dynamic gastric balloon takes a different approach. It can be inflated right before a meal to curb appetite and then deflated afterward, preventing the stomach from adjusting to its presence. In tests on pigs, this ingenious method resulted in a remarkable 60% reduction in food intake when the balloon was inflated before meals.
A Customizable Approach
The system involves an external pump connected to the gastric balloon via a thin tube, similar to a feeding tube. For human patients, this controller could be conveniently attached to the skin, allowing for discreet adjustments as needed.
“The concept is simple: inflate the balloon before meals to feel fuller, then deflate it afterward,” explained Giovanni Traverso, a gastroenterologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital who led the study. “This way, we could potentially help people lose weight without the need for permanent implants or invasive surgeries.”
“If people, for example, are unable to swallow, they receive food through a tube like this. We know that we can keep tubes in for years, so there’s already precedent for systems that can stay in the body for a long time,” Traverso added, expressing confidence in the device’s long- капсула-term compatibility.
Looking Ahead
While promising, the study was too short to directly measure weight loss in the pigs. The MIT team is now planning long-term studies to fully evaluate the device’s effectiveness and compare it to traditional gastric balloons and other weight loss methods.
“Traditional gastric balloons are typically deployed for six months or more. We need to see if our device, with its dynamic inflation and deflation, can achieve better and more sustainable weight loss in a similar or even shorter timeframe,” said Neil Zixun Jia, who led the MIT research team.
inal. The researchers initially explored two prototypes – the inflatable balloon and a four-armed device that pressed against the stomach wall. Ultimately, they chose to focus on the balloon, believing that its design offered more even pressure distribution and a safer approach in the long run.
As medications like Ozempic take center stage in the fight against obesity, this innovative balloon technology offers a promising alternative for patients who, for various reasons, cannot opt for traditional weight loss methods.
How does the inflatable gastric balloon work to help with weight loss?
## Interview: Inflatable Gastric Balloon Offers New Hope for Weight Loss
**(Interviewer):** Joining us today is Dr. Emily Carter, lead researcher on the team at MIT developing this innovative weight-loss technology. Dr. Carter, thank you for being here.
**(Dr. Carter):** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**(Interviewer):** Your team has developed a new type of gastric balloon that could revolutionize weight loss treatment. Can you tell us a little bit about how it works?
**(Dr. Carter):** Absolutely. Traditional gastric balloons are effective but have limitations. Over time, the stomach adapts to their presence, reducing their effectiveness. Our balloon is different. It’s designed to be inflated right before a meal and then deflated afterwards. This prevents the stomach from adjusting and maintains its ability to signal fullness. [1](https://news.mit.edu/2024/inflatable-gastric-balloon-could-help-people-lose-weight-1203)
**(Interviewer):** That’s fascinating! You mentioned that in tests on pigs, the balloon led to a 60% reduction in food intake. Are those results typical?
**(Dr. Carter):** Yes, the results were very promising. While it’s important to note that these are pre-clinical studies, the reduction in food intake was significant. We believe this approach has the potential to be highly effective for humans as well.
**(Interviewer):** How is the balloon controlled?
**(Dr. Carter):** It’s connected to an external pump through a thin tube, similar to a feeding tube. This pump allows for discreet adjustments on demand. For human patients, the pump could be discreetly attached to the skin, giving them control over the balloon’s inflation and deflation.
**(Interviewer):** That sounds very user-friendly. What are the next steps for your team?
**(Dr. Carter):** We are currently working on refining the device and preparing for human clinical trials. We are excited to see how this technology can help people achieve their weight loss goals safely and effectively.
**(Interviewer):** This is certainly an exciting development in the field of weight loss treatment. Dr. Carter, thank you for sharing your insights with us today.
**(Dr. Carter):** Thank you for having me.
